Beeds Lake Dam dam
Beeds Lake Dam
Beeds Lake Dam in Franklin, Iowa, stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of engineering and nature. Completed in 1937 by the US Department of the Interior, this earth dam on Spring Creek serves as both a recreational hotspot and a vital water resource for the region. With a height of 44 feet and a length of 1677 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 2850 acre-feet and a surface area of 130 acres, making it a significant player in the local water management system.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Beeds Lake Dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite a fair condition assessment, its high hazard potential calls for ongoing risk management measures. The dam's spillway, with a width of 170 feet, helps regulate water levels, while its uncontrolled design poses challenges in times of high discharge. Steve King (R) represents the area in Congress, highlighting the importance of this infrastructure to the community.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, Beeds Lake Dam remains a critical structure for flood control and recreational activities. Its location in a picturesque setting near Hampton adds to its allure, attracting visitors and water resource enthusiasts alike. With a focus on sustainable water management and infrastructure resilience, Beeds Lake Dam stands as a beacon of innovation and adaptation in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Beeds Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa River Near Rowan | 218 cfs | → |
| Winnebago River At Mason City | 320 cfs | → |
| South Fork Iowa River Ne Of New Providence | 163 cfs | → |
| Shell Rock River At Shell Rock | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At New Hartford | 254 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Charles City | 531 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beeds Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- River Street 126, Iowa Falls
- Vail Avenue Hancock County
- 245th Street Butler County
- Lake Cornelia Path Wright County
- 150th Street Wright County
- Big Blue Loop Mason City
Track Beeds Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Beeds Lake Dam
Where does the data for Beeds Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Beeds Lake Dam.